LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched a probe into thousands of kanals of state-owned land worth billions of rupees allegedly embezzled by the Divine Developers.

According to the NAB, a total of 2,809 kanals of government land, located in six adjoining villages near Lahore Airport Road, were allegedly misappropriated through fake mutations (transfers of ownership).

These villages include Mouza Gohawa (Tehsil Cantt), Mouza Kohar, Kair Khurd, Ajodhyapur (Model Town), Mouza Charar, and Sehjpal.

The NAB said it is carrying out investigation into various housing and commercial projects associated with the Divine Developers, including Green Avenue Housing Scheme, Divine Homes, Divine Center, Divine Mega I & II, Cricket Colony, and Khuda Bakhsh Colony. “We have also found evidence of substantial asset accumulation by the owners, amounting to billions of rupees. Main suspects in the scam are Amjad Aziz, Majid Aziz, Muhammad Younis, Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Akmal, Muhammad Afzal, and other family members. They reportedly established more than 12 companies to facilitate large-scale embezzlement,” the bureau said.

The NAB has also asked the general public to refrain from buying or selling residential or commercial properties in the said schemes and areas.

“Individuals who have already purchased property in these areas and may have fallen victim to fraud are urged to immediately contact NAB Lahore,” it said and asked the government employees not to engage in any transaction involving these government-owned lands or properties. “Failure to comply with these directives will result in legal action, and violators will be held responsible,” the bureau said and also directed the revenue officials of the areas concerned to provide complete records of all past land transfers immediately. Moreover, all future transactions involving the said properties must receive formal approval from NAB Lahore, it said.

The bureau said investigations are also underway against government officials who allegedly facilitated the illegal transfers of state land.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2025